Fabricio Werdum: Alistair Overeem Might Be Next

UFC heavyweight champ Fabricio Werdum has a tough test in front of him when he battles Stipe Miocic in the main event of this weekend’s (Sat., May 14, 2016) UFC 198 from the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil, but he could be already looking ahead to his next opponent.

That potential opponent is Alistair Overeem, the surging former K-1 and Strikeforce champion whom Werdum submitted back at Pride FC – Critical Countdown Absolute in 2006 before losing a lackluster decision to “The Reem” in 2011’s Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix. That was Werdum’s last loss, as he’s won six straight to obtain the UFC heavyweight title, while Overeem has racked up four straight wins of his own after his impressive jumping front kick knockout over Andrei Arlovski at last weekend’s UFC Rotterdam.

Speaking to reporters via MMA Fighting in his native Brazil, Werdum revealed his respect for Overeem’s win, and noted that he may be in for a trilogy bout with the power-hitting Dutchman:

“I thought it was a good win. Overeem is really smart when he’s fighting, had the patience to wait for the right moment. His technical kick surprised everyone, like Lyoto Machida (versus Randy Couture). I liked it.

“If he’s the next (in line) or not, it’s not up to me to decide. Based on his performance, he might be, but I want to focus on my next fight on May 14.”

That would seem to be a good idea for Werdum, due to the fact that while Miocic may not have the fame, overall attention, or win streak of “Vai Cavalo” or Overeem, he’s still no doubt a wholly dangerous fighter with the power to end any fight instantly.

If he does get past Miocic, however, Werdum wants to avenge the sluggish showing he put forth in his last fight with “The Reem,” saying he was massively overtrained for the fight:

“I don’t like to give excuses but I was overtrained,” Werdum said. “The fight was canceled twice and I didn’t stop training. I overtrained. I never felt like that before. I got too tired after throwing one punch. The fight was horrible for both of us, nobody liked it. I submitted him at Pride, and it was a tough fight. It’s 1-1 now, and let’s see what the UFC decides.”

From that point of view, a Werdum-Overeem grudge match seems like an obvious choice for the UFC should “Vai Cavalo” get past the Cleveland-born Miocic this weekend.

But as we’ve seen in the UFC, the obvious choice is not always the path most taken.